Comparison of alpha–theta neurofeedback versus sensorimotor rhythm neurofeedback in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disease with widespread musculoskeletal pain. In this study, we used neurofeedback to reduce pain and enhance the quality of life (QOL). METHODS: We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) in 40 patients referred to Tuba Specialized Clinic and Clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari, Iran, between December 2013 and July 2015. Group 1 underwent sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) neurofeedback training and group 2 underwent neurofeedback training for alpha-theta training. The primary outcomes were pain reduction and increasing QOL, which were measured using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Numeric Pain Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Scale, respectively, within the first day, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-randomization. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients were screened for eligibility and 40 patients completed the trial. In both groups, the differences between FIQ scores before and after the study were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Neurofeedback training could be applied to reduce pain and improve the QOL of patients with FM

Comparing the effectiveness of music therapy and alpha-theta neuro-feedback training on anxiety and depression among patients with chronic irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND: Non-pharmaceutical interventions are a promising area of research in psychiatry. Traditional treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) lacked notable efficacy. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of music therapy (MT) and alpha-theta neurofeedback training (NFT) on anxiety and depression symptoms among patients with IBS.METHODS: Patients with IBS, based on ROME III criteria, and high level of anxiety or depression symptoms were randomly assigned into three groups: (A) music, (B) alpha-theta training, and (C) control. In intervention groups, participants received ten 30-minute sessions of either music or alpha-theta NFT. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered for all patients before and after the training period. Thirty-three patients completed the study. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to compare changes in HADS scores among the three study groups.RESULTS: There was a significant main effect of HADS scores (F1,18 = 17.79, P &lt; 0.001) in the responses of MT group. Significant decreases were observed in HADS scores from pre-intervention to post-intervention tests in MT group comparing to control group. The MT accounted for 49 percent of variance in HADS scores. There was also a significant main effect of HADS scores (F1,20 = 17.79, P &lt; 0.010) in the responses of NFT group. HADS scores from pre-intervention to post-intervention tests in alpha-theta NFT group comparing to control group showed significant decreases, too. In addition, MT and alpha-theta NFT did not show any significant difference in somatic symptoms scores between pretest and posttest among patients with IBS.CONCLUSION: This study showed that MT and alpha-theta NFT significantly alleviated anxiety and depression level among patients with IBS

Comparing the effectiveness of music therapy and alpha-theta neuro-feedback training on anxiety and depression among patients with chronic irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND: Non-pharmaceutical interventions are a promising area of research in psychiatry. Traditional treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) lacked notable efficacy. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of music therapy (MT) and alpha-theta neurofeedback training (NFT) on anxiety and depression symptoms among patients with IBS. METHODS: Patients with IBS, based on ROME III criteria, and high level of anxiety or depression symptoms were randomly assigned into three groups: (A) music, (B) alpha-theta training, and (C) control. In intervention groups, participants received ten 30-minute sessions of either music or alpha-theta NFT. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered for all patients before and after the training period. Thirty-three patients completed the study. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to compare changes in HADS scores among the three study groups. RESULTS: There was a significant main effect of HADS scores (F1,18 = 17.79, P < 0.001) in the responses of MT group. Significant decreases were observed in HADS scores from pre-intervention to post-intervention tests in MT group comparing to control group. The MT accounted for 49 percent of variance in HADS scores. There was also a significant main effect of HADS scores (F1,20 = 17.79, P < 0.010) in the responses of NFT group. HADS scores from pre-intervention to post-intervention tests in alpha-theta NFT group comparing to control group showed significant decreases, too. In addition, MT and alpha-theta NFT did not show any significant difference in somatic symptoms scores between pretest and posttest among patients with IBS. CONCLUSION: This study showed that MT and alpha-theta NFT significantly alleviated anxiety and depression level among patients with IBS

Acute Catatonia With Urinary Incontinence in an Adolescent: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background: Few studies have investigated catatonia or adequately elucidated its epidemiology or pathophysiology. Catatonia is a debilitating neuropsychiatric syndrome.  Case presentation: In this case report, we present a 15-year-old boy who was brought to the emergency room with weakness, gait disturbance, and urinary incontinence. Conclusion: The findings of this investigation indicate that in cases where medicinal intervention has proven ineffective, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) seems to be a commendable substitute form of treatment

Prevalence of Eating Behaviors and Their Influence on Metabolic Control of Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Since a comprehensive study of eating disorders in children with type 1 diabetes in the Iranian population is necessary, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of eating behaviors and metabolic control status of children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus. Objectives: The present cross-sectional study aim to explore the prevalence of eating behaviors and their influence on metabolic control of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all children and adolescents 6 to 12 years old with diabetes were included. First, the prevalence of eating-related behaviors in participants was assessed and recorded. Then the recorded data were statistically analyzed. Results: The Mean±SD age of the study participants was 8.92±1.925 years. One hundred children with food approach scores above 12.29 had food-approach behaviors, and 78 children with food avoidance scores above 11.85 were classified as having food avoidance behaviors. The relationships between food-approach behaviors and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) and insulin dose, body mass index (BMI), and lipid profile were significant (P0.05). Conclusions: High BMI, high insulin dose, increased lipid levels, and high HbA1c are associated with an increased eating tendency in children. Therefore, these children should be evaluated for disordered eating behaviors

Effects of three months treatment with sertraline on intraocular pressure and cup-to-disc ratio in patients with anxiety disorders/mixed anxiety and depressive disorder/major depressive disorder and without underlying eye disease

Exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors causes pupillary dilator muscle stimulation, active mydriasis, rapid rise in the level of the intraocular pressure (IOP), damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eye, and ultimately leads to acute angle closure glaucoma. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of sertraline on the levels of IOP and cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) in patients with anxiety disorders or mixed anxiety and depressive disorder or major depressive under daily treatment with sertraline and without underlying eye disease for three months. In this study,30 eligible patients in the sertraline group and 30 healthy volunteers in the control group include the study and were referred to an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologic examinations were assessed at the baseline and on the first and third months of the study. The average daily dose of sertraline was 95&plusmn;2.5 mg.During the study, the IOP changes in the sertraline and control groups were 0.26&plusmn;0.43 and 0.00&plusmn;0.00 mmHg (p<0.001, p=NS) respectively and the CDR changes in sertraline and control groups were 0.03&plusmn;0.05 and -0.01&plusmn;0.05 (p=0.002, p=0.03) respectively. There was a significant difference in the IOP and CDR increasement between two groups ([F (1.7, 104.2) = 3.7, p = 0.03] and [F (2, 116) = 8.3, p < 0.001] respectively). In the present study, although changes in the IOP and CDR&nbsp; levels in the sertraline group were significant and was equal the daily change in the persons without glaucoma or patients with normal-tension glaucoma, but the slight and continuous increase in the IOP level associated with changes in pupil size and CDR, especially in patients at risk of glaucoma in the long term, can cause a disruption in hydrodynamic homeostasis. More studies with longer duration and different dosage of sertraline need to confirm our results.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp

The Role of Risk and Protective Factors in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Background: Identifying the risk factors and protective measures for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) can significantly contribute to their prevention. This study aimed to ascertain the risk factors and protective measures associated with ASD.Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted in Sari, Iran, from 2020 to 2021. A total of 196 children, aged 2-17 years, were recruited by convenience sampling from the Baghban (Touba) Clinic, Zareh Psychiatric Hospital Clinic, and Bu-Ali Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic. The case group consisted of 98 children with ASD, diagnosed based on the DSM-V criteria, while the control group included 98 children without ASD. Subsequently, potential risk factors in both groups were examined. The odds ratio was calculated at a 95% confidence level, with a significance level of P<0.05.Results: After adjusting the odds ratio (95% CI), ASD was found to be significantly associated with relatives’ consanguinity [0.625 (0.409, 0.953)], breastfeeding [0.743 (0.582, 0.950)], and the child’s history of head trauma [15.911 (1.78, 142.238)]. A closer degree of relatives’ consanguinity increased the risk of autism in children by 1.6 times. Children who were breastfed for a longer period (up to 2 years) were 1.34 times less likely to develop autism. Moreover, children with a history of head trauma were approximately 16 times more likely to develop autism compared to children without such a history.Conclusion: Breastfeeding has been identified as a protective factor, while the existence of closer relatives’ consanguinity and a history of head trauma have been identified as risk factors for ASD. Further studies on these factors are recommended